Author's Note: Yeah I'm beginning to be a bit more inspired and have time to write, so there maybe another double post. That being said feed back would be nice. Also while I am trying to write the specialist as close to the shows as possible, I don't like them. I find there characters useless, so if there is some bias I do apologize.

Disclaimer: I don't own Winx Club or Ronin Warriors.

Chapter 18) Truth

Naaza and Rajura observed the odd craft wearily. There was smoke coming from it and electrical sparks. They were starting to move around to try and peer into the thing, when Ryo, Shu and Shin arrived. The warlords waited for the three ronin to join them before looking into the craft. Naaza hissed as sparks jumped out at them from somewhere in the top of the hatch. There was hazy smoke obscuring the view of four younger men, two of which were at least moving slightly. Ryo, Shin and Shu hurried into the craft while Naaza and Rajura kept an eye out on their surroundings. Ryo and Shu grabbed the two who were on the floor of the craft first. They had to move things around as the one with blackish blue hair had been pinned by crates and bags that had come loose. While they worked there, Shin unbuckled the two in the front and started to carefully move the one with glasses. The guy looked at at, his glasses corked and cracked as he groaned.

"Don't worry mate, you'll be fine." Shin assured as he looped the guys arm around his shoulders and took him out. "Shu, there's one more up front." Shin called as he slowly helped the man with glasses one of the craft.

"Right I'm on it." Shu said as he laid the man with dark hair down. He hurried back into the craft while Naaza checked over the man Shu had set down on the ground. Once he was sure there were no potentially fatal injuries he moved to the next unconscious man. Next he looked over the man Shin was supporting and when Shu returned with the last young man he did the same.

"They appear to be fine to move. Halo will need to aide them once we get back…. Though for the scraps I'll handle them, no point in taxing his abilities unless it's needed." Naaza deducted and the others nodded.

"Right, Rajura can you get him, Naaza keep an eye out for any bucketheads… I'd rather not be caught off guard." Ryo ordered and the two who were mostly conscious were clearly trying to follow the orders and figure out what was going on.

"Aisha…?" The one with the glasses started to question his face squinting up and it was clear he had a concussion, and there was blood trailing from his ear where his own glasses cut him. Thankfully the lens hadn't broke, only cracked.

"The girl? Our brother saved her from her fall. She is safe." Rajura answered.

"Don't worry, she's in good hands, and you are too… Just focus on walking and soon you'll be fine." Shin smiled and Timmy blinked before nodding.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~(Scene Change)~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everyone was staring at Seiji, and he looked like a long tailed cat that just realized it was in a room filled with rocking chairs. The whole scene drawing a laughed out of Kayura as she wrapped her arms around her sides, laughing harder then she had in a long time. Seiji gain his composure only to glare at Kayura an embarrassed flush on his face.

"You still could have seen if Bloom was up!" Musa snapped as Kayura laughed in the background and Seiji's sharp gaze flickered back to the girls.

"I didn't want to risk waking you…." His voice was softer and colder. It wasn't that he was angry but very, very uncomfortable. He wished Shin was here to defuse the situation, or even Shu who was always confident around women.

"So why not tell us right away?" Bloom asked and Seiji sighed relaxing a little. Bloom was at least staying calm so that was good.

"Because I didn't want this taken the wrong way." Seiji stated evenly, and he felt the new girl eyeing him closely. "I know the conclusions that can be made, and didn't want them to become a distraction." Seiji said rigidly. He was dancing around what he was sure would have been thought but he wasn't like that. He wouldn't… couldn't take advantage of someone, and he didn't know exactly how to ease their minds.

"Then you should have just said something." Tecna pointed out, as Roxy moved Aisha to the couch. They still needed Seiji to do a quick check over her.

"I… This," Seiji sighed as he walked closer to Aisha hoping that by not looking at the winx he could find the words. "There are certain ways to act, and things to say. That's how I was brought up. To act with grace and courtesy." Seiji stated. As the others thought about what he said Stella yawned walking over to the group.

"So like a prince. Watch out for others, don't ruin their reputation, never lower yourself to base actions." Stella yawned and everyone understood as Seiji nodded.

"Shin is guided by trust, Shu by justice. I have always been guided by grace and courtesy." Seiji explained and Kayura smirked. "You could have said something or helped." Seiji glared at Kayura as his hands hovered over Aisha's arms a green light coming from them.

"Oh poor baby, did you need me to save you?" Kayura shook her head. "Why would I it was more fun to watch you handle the situation yourself."

"You can be quiet mean to them Kayura." Roxy stated, folding her arms over her chest.

"I can't do everything for them. Each of them needs to learn how to overcome their flaws and grow." Kayura flicked some of her hair over her shoulder and Seiji rolled his eyes.

"I'm glad I can still provide some amusement for you." He stated flatly as he stood up. "You're fine, and to properly introduce myself I'm Date Seiji, warrior of Halo." He said and Aisha slumped against the couch relaxing for a moment.

"Aisha Fairy of Morphix." Aisha said as Roxy and Musa settled in on either side of her.

"I'm Kayura, last of the Ancients, and had been Lady ruler of the dynasty until I was forced out." Kayura said her double voice falling to a sigh at the last part.

"So if I can ask what were you doing with that light?" Aisha asked looking at Seiji who'd stepped away from the group. He definitely was rigid and it reminded her of how she'd been told to be. The difference was he seemed comfortable as he stood ramrod straight and she'd hated it.

"I was drawing on the power of Halo to heal you, or in this case check for injuries." Seiji explained before looking towards the door. "We'll need the couch." Seiji said glancing at the girls.

"Huh?" Aisha blinked feeling confused but followed Roxy and Musa's lead and moved.

"They are connected telepathically." Tecna explained as Stella finally hugged Aisha and Aisha laughed.

"That's got to be handy." Aisha smiled and Stella pouted.

"And creepy sometimes. I've been getting Shu and Ryo to at least warn me, or keep me informed." Stella stated feeling proud of the progress she'd made. Shu really was a sweet guy and had been such a good friend, and Ryo the guy was so mellow that he didn't mind trailing after her while she'd been shopping. Ryo also would always take on any chore or unpleasant tasks others had asked her to do.

"Come on let's go get Flora up then… Um Seiji you don't mind do you?" Roxy cheered before sheepishly asking Seiji.

"Go ahead. My room is last on the left hand side." Seiji said and the girls headed up stairs. Roxy and Bloom lead the way up the stairs and even without Seiji's directions it would have been a fifty-fifty guess as only two rooms still had their door shut. The girls hurried down the hall and Bloom tapped on the door. When no response came the girls opened the door and headed into the room.

"Woah…" Musa was a bit surprised by all the old decor, and the tidiness of the room. Not one thing was out of place. The green curtains that were still shut muted the light from outside and Stella had to admit that with the sunshining in the color scheme of the room would really pop. The tans, and browns with the green accents and the occasional gold.

"Well he does have good taste." Stella mused as the girls shut the door and filled the room. Roxy was first to move and steal the chair near Seiji's bed, while Bloom and Aisha just decided to sit on the bed where Flora was sleeping. Soon Stella and Musa also climbed on the bed giggling as he was becoming crowded but seemed like a great way to greet Flora. Tecna stayed back wondering why they'd come here to talk. They could have talked down stairs or in the library so why here? Was there something not being told to them? She doubted that it was Flora with something to hide, so what was Seiji hiding.

Flora stirred a bit at the bed dipping from the weight of her friends. She sighed feeling well rested and at peace as she rubbed her eyes. The ache of nature's pain came back to her first disrupting her peace, but she tried not to dwell on it. She knew they were fighting to restore nature and to get rid of the realm that was poisoning it, and for now that would have to do. Flora blinked as a second realization came over her, the firm pillow she'd fallen asleep on had been replaced by a fluffy cold one. There wasn't the texture of scars under her hand but silk. Blinking away the last remainders of sleep she looked around her friends. She smiled to them returning their wide smiles.

"Aisha!" Flora gasped shooting upright and everyone laughed. It was rather fun for Aisha to see her friends react with such surprise and joy to her arrival.

"Hey girl." Aisha said giving Flora and hug. Flora hugged her friend back and slowly the others stopped laughing. Aisha wanted to ask Flora about this new guy, and his friends so it seemed that now would be a good time. Yet she knew she had to give them news first. "I wanted all of you to be together when I said this, but with the exception of the earth fairies, Roxy and Bloom's families, and a young man name Jun everyone on earth is gone." Aisha started and watched the worried looks being exchanged. "No one was sure you guys were okay, so they rallied a rescue mission… Headed by Sky and the specialist." Aisha sighed as she gave the bad news.

All the girls looked around to each other, and Flora clenched the blankets in her hand. They didn't want the specialist here but it was too late. Moreover with earth taken over by the nether realm was it wise to fight them here or should they retreat and figure out a better plan. Either way they would need to talk to the Ronin and the warlords, or more over Rajura and Touma who seemed to handle the strategies that they used. Still it was Stella who took a deep breath and bounced off the bed first.

"Well I'm not going to let them bug me one bit." Stella announced flicking her blond hair over her shoulder. "They're the idiots who let us go."

"Yeah you're right Stella. Besides we've got to focus on taking care of the trix and the dynasty." Bloom smiled. It was amazing to see how Stella had changed without Brandon. It was all subtle but she had changed, and it made Bloom wonder if they'd all changed in small ways.

"True, I have have work to do with Nasuti anyway. We think we may have come up with a way to communicate back to Magix." Tecna said straightening up. It wouldn't do any of them any good to be sad. Plus with people like Ryo and Shu Tecna doubted she'd stay gloomy for long. The ronin were good guys and Tecna was sure they would try and cheer any of them up with they were gloomy. It seemed to be agreed that the girls wouldn't let the guys get to them, but all of them knew that would be hard than they were making it.

"Not to change the subject, but what were you and Seiji doing last night?" Stella asked. She'd missed Seiji's comment about them talking, and the others wouldn't have minded a bit more insight to the situation.

"..." Flora bit her lip and didn't answer. After all she couldn't betray the trust he shown her in opening up. She couldn't tell them not with out getting Seiji's consent on the topic.

"Flora?" Aisha asked placing a hand on Flora's arm and Flora lifted her gaze.

"We talked… About his past but I can't say more than that." Flora said looking around the group. "I don't know if he would want me talking about it." Flora drew her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them.

"Hey don't worry about it. We understand." Aisha said and the others nodded.

"Yeah, but now I'm more curious!" Stella pouted and Musa laughed.

"Let it go, Stel. We'll learn about it if its important." Musa said before standing up. "Anyways I'm going down stairs I was going to show Kayura some more pop music." Musa said. The rest clamored over things they had to do, Roxy and Bloom wanting to see if the ronin were back, Stella wanted to get showered and dressed, and Tecna wanted to start working with Nasuti on their idea. As everyone left Flora paused with her legs hanging off the bed.

"Hey Flo, what's up." Aisha asked walking back to her best friend. Aisha watched as Flora touched her lips for a moment before looking at her.

"I couldn't tell the others yet, I'm just not sure how they'll react but…" Flora started feeling very nervous. Sure she'd talk to Roxy about thinking Seiji was attractive and possible more, but last night was different.

"Hey you can tell me anything." Aisha assured Flora placing a hand on her arm.

"Last night Seiji he kissed me…. And I kissed him back." Flora stated and Aisha looked at her surprised. She never would have thought someone so rigid would be Flora's type. Helia was polite but Seiji acted over like old royalty, how her family thought royalty should act. Still she smiled at Flora happy to see her friend happy, and moving on with her life.

"Hey, if you like him, I don't see a problem with it." Aisha smiled and Flora smiled back and stood up. "So.. You to talked and he kissed you? Is that what you didn't want to tell the others?"

"No, what we talked about, it really is Seiji's to tell. It's his past." Flora assured Aisha that they really had talked about something she couldn't tell them. The kiss was just something she wanted to keep mostly quiet for now.

"Well if you like him, and he's a good guy I don't see any problem." Aisha smiled. Now though she planned on seeing what sort of guy Seiji was. After all she wasn't going to let her best friend get her heart broken twice. Sure Jun had spoke well of each of the ronin but she was still going to judge Seiji herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(Scene Change)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the time Seiji had finished healing the man Shu had carried both the blonde, who'd they had learned was Sky, and the one with glasses, Timmy, were both fully conscious. Sky had managed to get under Anubis's skin as the man wasn't listening and was trying to wander off rather than wait for Halo to finish. When he saw Sky moving for the stairs Anubis quickly put himself in the way.

"Hey, look we have a mission to do." Sky said crossly. He hadn't taken a liking to any of these men as they seemed to expect the specialist to wait around. He wanted to know where Bloom and the winx were, now.

"And I told you. You're friends are fine, now stay put till Halo checks you over." Anubis growled narrowing his blue eyes at the blond man. Anubis could feel the eyes of some of the fairies peering down at them. He'd taken a liking to their new allies, and much like a guard dog, or a wolf he wasn't going to let any thing he didn't like or saw as a possible problem near them. As it was he'd already sent Nasuti into the study and tried to send Kayura there two.

"Bloom!" Sky exclaimed as Bloom started to lead Roxy, Tecna, and Musa down the stairs. "I'm glad you are alright."

"You think I would lie boy?!" Anubis growled and Shu quickly moved to pull Anubis away from Sky.

"Calm down, man." Shu urged before waving to the girls.

"Of course we're fine Sky. We can handle ourselves." Bloom said stiffly. The tension between Bloom and the blonde man wasn't missed by Shin, nor were the uncertain and angry looks from Musa, Roxy, and Tecna.

"Tecna?" Timmy questioned and Tecna tried her best to ignore him.

"Is Nasuti down here? We were going to start working on the idea, for the communication spell." Tecna asked, as she tried to not look at Timmy. Yet she couldn't help it and as she stole a glance he looked away with a face she didn't understand. It wasn't regret and it wasn't love. She didn't want to stay here near him. Her heart just wouldn't let her be logical.

"Of course Lady Tecna. This way." Rajura answered moving to show Tecna the way. "Is your other friend okay? I wasn't given the chance to meet the young Lady." Rajura asked trying to distract Tecna. He may not have been empathetic but he could see the tears in her eyes.

"Oh Aisha. Yes, she stayed upstairs with Flora I think." Tecna mentioned as Bloom watched them wander down the hall. "Is Touma awake yet?" That was a question that Bloom hoped the answer was no to but she was unable to hear Rajura's response.

"Bloom I think it would be better if we talked with you girls alone." Sky urged pulling away from Ryo who had been trying to get Sky to sit down.

"Sky… I think you should listen to Ryo." Bloom stated as she looked back to him. Just looking at Sky made her feel tired and filled her with pain, anger, and more. They'd been so close for so long and now they were suppose to just what? Act like it never mattered? Bloom didn't know, but what hurt the most was there was no sign of heartache on Sky's face or Timmy's face. Even Helia who was now awake and looking around didn't show heartache when he looked at them. Both Helia and Timmy looked remorseful but that was it.

"What? I don't need to sit down."

"Dude you could have a concussion, please just sit down till Naaza gets back or Seiji finishes healing your other friend." Ryo said as he placed a hand on Sky's shoulder. His tone was still light and carefree, instead of the aggressive one that Anubis had used.

"Can't you guys use your fairy dust?" Helia asked as he looked stood up. There was clear damage done to his uniform but no gashes or even bruises on him.

"It's been weaker since the dynasty gates opened." Roxy said matter of factly. She wasn't shocked at all be the attitude that the specialist were showing as she'd seen it when she first met them. The jealous streaks that would come out if the winx even talked to another boy. It was as Brandon was coming to that Flora and Aisha finally came down.

"Hey be careful please!" Shin chided Brandon. He was glad for his quick reflexes that let him steady Seiji.

"Where's Stella?" The girls wished they could say they were shocked but they weren't. Brandon had nearly knocked Seiji over in standing up to look around the room. His demand to see Stella coming off much like Sky's to see Bloom. The girls looked to the ronin trying to figure out how to fit into the quickly crowding living room. After all for the movie they'd moved furniture and most had stayed close together.

"Hey Anubis why don't we go join Naaza on the sweep for bucketheads." Ryo suggested to the scarred warrior. It was a suggestion by Shin's prompting as he thought tempers were getting out of control.

"Hn, fine Wildfire. Though I'd be far happier finding one of the wenches." Anubis growled and the lights in the room flicked. Yep Shin was right, Anubis needed to step away from the new young men before someone got hurt.

"Stella is showering, Brandon. So you guys are going to have to wait to talk to us all." Aisha snapped and both Sky and Brandon narrowed their eyes at her. Even as two people left the tension didn't die down. As Flora moved to Shin and Seiji to check on Seiji and how he was feeling after healing everyone. Between Flora and Shin Seiji was some how escorted and persuaded to sit down. Helia studied then feeling almost cross at how Flora's hand rested on Seiji's shoulder. Rajura had come back into the room and placed himself near Roxy to comfort and support the youngest princess. Kayura was sitting on the back of one of the chairs with Musa next to her watching everything like it was a movie.

"Well we're not staying here. This isn't a place that can be defended anymore. We have to get you guys back to Magix." Sky announced and the commotion in the room stopped.

"Hey we've fought the dynasty on this front before and won." Ryo pointed out.

"We can't leave. Our families, and every other person who lived on earth is in the dynasty's hand! We can't leave them to that sort of fate!" Shin objected loudly and Brandon shot him and Ryo a glare.

"No one's asking you. And who said you're going with us?! We're here to rescue the winx." Brandon snorted and Shin looked rather stunned.

"I doubt they need rescuing from the likes of you." Kayura scoffed. She smirked as all the specialist glared at her. "Oh poor babies, did I hurt your feelings?" Kayura teased her smirk growing as Brandon stepped aggressively towards her.

"Aren't you going to help her?" Roxy whispered to Rajura as she watched Brandon advance. It seemed the girls were shell shocked while the ronin and specialist were both watching with calculating gazes.

"I don't need to. Lady Kayura is a match for any of the ronin, this boy barely has their level of skill." Rajura stated plainly and Brandon stopped advancing to glare at Rajura.

"What did you say?!" He roared not liking how these men from a place with no magic or even school of training were belittling them and their training. Before he could get over to Rajura to take a swing Bloom stepped up.

"Guys knock it off!" Bloom snapped at both Brandon and Sky. "We're not going to leave without the Ronin, and Warlords first off."

"Yeah and second we're not leaving the people of earth stuck." Musa chimed in. It had been hard enough to imagine it being Bloom's and Roxy's families trapped by the enemy. They had to help the Ronin free their families. "Plus we never asked to be rescued." Musa glared at the boys.

Dumbstruck didn't even begin to cover how the specialist suddenly felt with the winx taking the sides of strangers. It didn't even occur to them that the girls would object to being rescued. In the past such stunts would have earned them praise and swooning from the winx club girls. They were actually going to impede the mission they had to safely return them home? That they wouldn't leave.

"Look, we really wish there was more we could do, but we can't. Everyone is worried about you. You have to come back." Sky said trying to take control of the situation and to get the girls to bend. "Your families are worried sick."

"Why are you pushing the matter when the ladies have said no." Rajura asked and Brandon glared at him.

"Why don't you just keep quiet this doesn't concern you." Brandon said and Rajura folded his arms and smirked. Everything about the one eyed man was getting under Brandon's skin and the guy seemed to know it.

"Hey don't start fighting again." Roxy cut in stepping in front of Rajura. She was getting fed up with both of them. After hanging around Rajura, Anubis and Naaza she knew that Rajura was instigating the trouble here. Rajura bowed his head and stepped back.

"Of course lady Roxy. I did not mean to make you mad." Rajura offered sincerely. Timmy blinked several times trying to figure out why the white haired man was being so obedient to Roxy. Royal guards would have acted like this, as would any Red Fountain specialist with their teachers, though that was more out of respect.

"It doesn't matter we can't just leave. Not without our allies and not without helping the people here." Bloom sighed feeling exhausted, just from the way the warlord and specialist seemed to be going after each other.

"Bloom-"

"I have an idea." Nasuti cut Sky off as she emerged. There was a stern look on her face that made all the ronin and even Rajura look away sheepishly. "How about everyone goes and calms down. Seiji needs to rest before he can finish healing people anyways." Nasuti pointed out as she walked passed Rajura and Roxy and over to Sky. "Now please sit down, and rest. I'm sure your journey to get here was a long one. So why don't you relax and I'll go start some tea. Shin can you help me?" Nasuti said and while Sky looked ready to argue she didn't give him the chance to cut it. "Shu go get Touma up please? Flora can you and Ryo help Seiji to his room to rest? Kayura can you and Rajura go back to their craft and make sure it won't be found?" Nasuti gave orders and the girls couldn't help but smile as the ronin and warlords listened to her. "Now why don't you girls take a break too? There's a lot to consider and I'm sure you want to catch up with your friend."

"They don't have time to catch up. We have to leave ASAP." Brandon said loudly and this time Shin frowned and walked straight over to the brown haired specialist. He placed a hand on Brandon's shoulder and forced him to look at him.

"Do not raise your voice to Nasuti. She is being kind enough to let you rest in her home. Now I'm sure you've only forgotten your manners because of the situation. So I suggest you listen to her, or I will escort you out…. When your tea is ready I'm sure we can introduce ourselves properly." Shin stated his voice colder than the sea at winter and his eyes dark.

There was silence and a moment of stillness before the specialist sat down and Shin smiled the anger around him gone as he went into the kitchen Nasuti following. Shu raced up the stairs muttering about hating seeing Shin angry and the girls decided to split up and collect their thoughts. Musa decided to head into the kitchen after all what she'd just seen contradicted everything she'd thought about Shin, after all he'd never been aggressive before now. Bloom decided to head outside, the air would help her clear her head of Sky and everything else. Aisha and Roxy went to join Tecna in the study. As the last person left the specialist looked around at each other as something came to them all. They were the ones out of place here, and while they had been taught to take control they wouldn't be able to without a fight. The truth was things had changed somehow and they didn't understand why.